In a massive game for Arsenal, Arsene Wenger started with Tomas Rosicky in the middle and Cazorla on the left, with Walcott on the right. Fabianski is still injured so Szczesny got another chance to prove his worth. The Gunners started with real intent and were looking extremely dangerous.
Fulham’s job got a whole lot harder when Steve Sidwell lunged in on Arteta with his studs up. Referee Marriner sent him off, but strangely that made Fulham look better while Arsenal seemed to take their foot off the gas. We were still enjoying plenty of possession, but could not make it count, whereas Fulham were looking dangerous on the break. Giroud did come close with a great shot but it clipped the post.
Szczesny had to make a couple of smart saves and we had to be alert to defend quite a few corners and it was looking like it would be scoreless at halftime. After watching the attacking players struggle to produce a goal, the two centre backs decided to show them how it was done. From a free kick, Koscielny crept in at the back post and headed the ball back across goal and it was Mertesacker who popped up to head it in.
That should have given the Gunners a great platform to push on, but we started the second half looking pedestrian and were sloppy in possession. Fulham were getting chances and I was getting nervous. As the half wore on, though, Fulham were getting tired and we dominated possession without cutting them open.
With 20 minutes left, Wenger sent on Podolski and Wilshere for Rosicky and Walcott. It was a positive move form Wenger who clearly wanted another goal to make the points safe. It was Fulham who got the ball in the back of the net, though, but Arsenal were saved by an offside flag.
I lost count of the number of times we gave the ball away or made stupid fouls. It was ridiculous that we were hanging on against 10 man Fulham, but the nerves were really showing. Things got even more tense when Giroud was shown a straight red which means he will miss the game against Manchester United. Ramsey had a late chance to seal it, but at least we managed to hang on for the vital three points.
